The Maltby Jam: How We Started

I can only speak from my experience with the Maltby Jam, this is our 17th year in the same place and our attendance is bigger than ever, so we must be doing a few things right. Like most Jams we started in some ones home and grew too big. Our search for a larger venue close by led us to the Maltby Community Club.

1) I think the most important thing a person or group that wants to start a jam needs to do is to find a convenient location, whether a home or an establishment..then fix the place, agree on the the date, the time and a contact person and don't change it...a flyer is a good steady reminder..keep a pile of them by the door !!

2) Wherever the jam is held, have a written agreement with the homeowner or business establishment on what is allowed and what is not allowed and what your responsibilities will be when you use their home or facility.

3) You'll have to decide what kind of jam you want ....and that usually depends on the size and circumstances of your location. We started with just a simple circle jam and that was fine, but when we moved to a large hall, we incorporated into the evening a Potluck Dinner and an Open Mic, and that has been a positive move for us.

4) Are you charging a set fee for the jam or is it just a donation can set out ( every jam has some expenses that must be met,i.e. hall rental, coffee, supplies etc) again this depends on whether its held in a home or Hall or Cafe.

5) What kind of music ? Are you going to be strictly acoustic...nothing but traditional Bluegrass? Folk, old Time, Celtic allowed ? A combo of all four ?...acoustic ( but an electric Bass will be tolerated once in a while)? It's a discussion of this that will set the tone of your Jam Session.

6) An enthusiastic core of regular volunteers to run and attend to all the various tasks involved in putting on a monthly or weekly jam is essential. Someone has to open up , someone has to lock up and close. There's cleaning, washing, and garbage to take out. Jamming is just the FUN PART! In our case, everyone involved at Maltby is a volunteer. They do everything from setting up chairs, timing the Open Mic, serving the Potluck, setting tables, making coffee, to doing the dishes.. It's the cooperation and the determination of a whole group of people to make the Jam one that they can be proud of. Every Jam has its own personality, its own idiosyncrasies that sets it apart, makes you feel comfortable and makes you feel like coming back.

We hope you'll visit us at Maltby in Snohomish to spend the day and evening jamming and getting to know us

Thanks and happy jamming !! Jan